Jamaica's Police Fleet Faces Woes

More than 32 percent of the vehicles in the fleet of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are out of use and another 28.7 percent of police vehicles are more than 11 years old, a document tabled in the House of Representatives recently has revealed, according to a report in the Jamaica Gleaner.

The Cabinet has approved the award of two contracts totaling about $335.15 (US$2.8) million to purchase vehicles for the police force. The vehicles to be purchased include 47 Toyota Corolla patrol cars; 27 Toyota Hilux pickups; four Toyota Rav4 sport utility vehicles; one Toyota Coaster bus; and two Toyota Hiace 15-seater buses, according to the report.

The vehicles will be purchased from Toyota Jamaica Limited at a cost of $273.2 (US$2.28) million, according to the report.

Additionally, $81.9 million (US$684,439) is to be spent acquiring five Isuzu 5-ton troop-carrying trucks; and four Isuzu 11-ton prisoner-carrying trucks from Vehicles and Supplies Limited, according to the Gleaner report.

In March, Parliament approved a budget of $280 (US$2.33) million for the purchase of motor vehicles and boats for the police, an increase from $100 million (US$835,701) the previous year, according to the report.